Page 56 of Fallen Thorns
I took a few deep breaths to catch my bearings — or I tried to at least. I felt high, almost floating, with my feet above ground. Voices echoed all around me.
I attempted to look for Mars, Rani, Carmen…are they even here?I thought I spotted them earlier but then I wasn’t so sure of anything anymore. I couldn’t believe anything that was happening.Our minds are never just our own.
But I did see Lawrence, who in turn, spotted me. He prowled over to me with a haunting grace and wrapped his arms drunkenly over my shoulders. Very quickly, it became apparent there were multiple substances in his system, eyes unfocused and jaw slack.
“Let me try this,” he whispered. His breath tickled the nape of my neck, messy brown curls falling across his face in a hot mess.
A shiver rumbled in my gut.
“Love me,” he grumbled. I tensed, waves of heat passing through my body. I forced myself to stay put, hands firmly by my side.
Lawrence frowned in expressive over-animation, his arms remained flopped around my neck.
“Aww, you’re getting better then,” he smirked before twirling around my body in one fluid motion, coming to a stop behind me. I followed his movements in what felt like slow motion; he was at the crook of my collar now, leaning in so close I smelled the stench of cigarettes and alcohol on his breath. “Come on. You know what they say about guys with big feet.” He jabbed his knee into the back of my legs and my nerves reacted. I instantly lost balance and coughed with the dizziness of how hard he tried there. The drugs clearly weakened the level of Manipulation he believed he had. Or maybe I just…
I saw a flash of his mesh skirt before a familiar figure stormed towards us: slender legs in leather trousers, striding over in confidence. I looked up.
Mars.
They didn’t even look at me before their fist plunged into Lawrence’s abdomen and they pulled him close with protective aggression.
“Leave him alone,” Mars demanded through clenched teeth. Their fangs lengthened as they held a startled and delirious Lawrence by the scrunched fabric of his shirt.
I watched all this unfold from the ground, my palms flat on the cold stone.
Mars loosened their grip once they sensed they’d subdued Lawrence enough. They brushed off invisible dust from Lawrence’s shoulders with a firm and sarcastic touch. “Do whatever you want to me later, but you leave Arlo alone.”
Lawrence was then sent on his way with a push.
Finally, Mars’ attention shifted to me, all anger leaving their body as they reached down to help me stand. I was too startled to speak at that moment.
I held onto Mars’ hand for a second longer than necessary, grounding myself before dusting my trousers as I finally stood straight.
Reality flooded back, and I rubbed my forehead. “You…”Don’t pry. It’s none of your business.“You meant that… that last part?”What did I say? You never listen.
But Mars wasn’t phased by the question. “He won’t remember a thing in a few hours. I could have said anything.”
“Oh. Right.”
At my response, Mars cocked their head. “Would that bother you? If I meant it?” they quizzed.
Panic inevitably took over. “Oh, god. No. Not at all… it’s none of my business, really—” I shook my hands frantically as I tried to explain myself.
Mars narrowed their eyes but softened a moment later. “I didn’t mean it.”
“Oh, right. Okay… good…”
“Good?” Their brow raised. I couldn’t read their face, sweat dampening my brow.
“No — not that. I didn’t mean…” Words betrayed me.
Mars finally shook their head in a laugh. “You’re so funny.”
I am?
“I—”
A gut-wrenching scream broke the moment. Everyone’s attention swung to the scene unfolding in the centre of the room. A crowd had already formed in front of me but my height advantage allowed me to just about make out what was happening.
